May 2011

Canada-European Union Free Trade Agreement

A Free trade agreement between Canada and European Union is under development and planned to be signed later this year. On this occasion, Dr Florian Kongoli was invited by the Minister of Economic Development HE Clement Gignac to participate in a special forum headed by the Prime Minister of Quebec, Hon. Jean Charest to discuss various issues related to this agreement and especially innovation. During this meeting, in May 2011, Dr. Kongoli had fruitful discussions with a number of personalities from EU and Canada. A partial non exclusive list is given below:

• Pierre Marc Johnson, Chief Negotiator of Quebec Government for Canada-EU Free Trade Agreement and former Prime Minister of Quebec
• Hon Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation
• Ana Arana Antelo, European Commission, Deputy Head of Cabinet for Innovation
• Thomas C. Barrett, Director of European Investment Bank
• Raymond Chretien, Strategic Advisor and Former Ambassador of Canada to France, United States, Belgium, Mexico and Congo
• Charles Wessner, Director, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, US National Academy
• Daria Tataj, EIT Executive Board Member, European Institute of Innovation and Technology
• Errol Levy, EU Policy Officer, Science and Technology Relations with the USA and Canada
• Luigi Scarpa de Masellis, EU Cabinet Advisor, Economic and Commercial Affairs
• Henry Chesbrough, Executive Director, Center for Open Innovation, University of California Berkeley, USA
• Etc.

  
  Dr. Florian Kongoli (third from right) listening to the intervention of Ana Arana Antelo, European Commission, Deputy Head of Cabinet for Innovation

  
  Dr. Florian Kongoli in discussion with Pierre Marc Johnson, Chief Negotiator of Quebec Government for Canada-EU Free Trade Agreement and former Prime Minister of Quebec

  
  Dr. Florian Kongoli with Raymond Chretien, Strategic Advisor and Former Ambassador of Canada to France, United States, Belgium, Mexico and Congo

  
  Dr. Florian Kongoli listening to various ideas expressed by Henry Chesbrough, Executive Director, Center for Open Innovation, University of California Berkeley, USA